Of all the American Idol 8 finalists who got eliminated, I think only the oil rig worker from Texas left with a sincere smile — thankful that his AI ordeal is over. Michael Sarver sang “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” on his way out of the Top 10 on Motown Week where the judges declined to bring him back. Post-elimination, he talks about singing for his life, the pressure to go country and that now-famous signature grin. First off, how did Michael Sarver about the judges’ decision not to save him? He says:

I’m OK with it. They have to make a decision based on what they believe the future of the show holds. If they thought that I wasn’t quite winning material, then that’s the decision they had to make, and I respect it. Do I believe that I still have what it takes to win? Absolutely. I believe I’m a winner.

So does Michael Sarver feel any pressure to go country like the American Idol judges seemed to want? He says, “Yes. I did feel a little bit of pressure from the media and fans who for some reason put me into that country category … But I will say that my true roots in my heart is R&B and soul, and I plan to explore that.” As for his post-“Idol” plans, Michael Sarver shares, “I hope within the next year, people see an album come out. I want to record right away. I want to stay fresh. This is an incredible platform and I want to take full advantage of it.”

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